Smith's HIV admission praised

The decision by Labour's former culture secretary to go public over having the HIV virus was praised by campaigners.

Genevieve Clark, spokeswoman for HIV and AIDS charity, the Terence Higgins Trust, paid tribute to Chris Smith, who revealed that he has been HIV positive for the past 17 years.

She said: "I think it is a very impressive thing he has done to come out and speak about HIV. It is not easy to do...there is still a stigma around the virus.

"People think long and hard before they tell colleagues, friends and family."

Ms Clark said the move would help the process of gradually chipping away the stigma surrounding HIV.

She added: "You can live a healthy and normal life with HIV."

Asked how difficult it is for people to go public over contracting the virus, she said: "We have come across people who have had bad reactions from family and friends when they have disclosed it. People are concerned about discrimination.

"We fully support Chris in his decision."

Meanwhile, Peter Tatchell, of gay rights pressure group OutRage!, said: "It is great that Chris Smith has come out as HIV-positive, but I am surprised that it has taken him this long, especially given that he came out as gay way back in 1984 and that never did any harm to his political career.

"I hope other prominent public figures with HIV will follow Chris's lead."